Walsall sign Cypriot international

Walsall have completed the signing of Cypriot international Andreas Makris from Anorthosis Famagusta for a club record fee.

The 20-year-old has signed a three-year contract at the Banks’s and commands a larger fee than the £175,000 Walsall paid Birmingham City for Alan Buckley in 1979.

Makris has represented his nation throughout the age groups, and has played for the Cyprus first team 10 times. The striker, who won the Cyprus young player of the year award during the 2013-204 campaign, also drew admiring glances from Real Madrid C and Borussia Dortmund after his emergence at Famagusta.

Makris said: “I am very pleased to be here. From the moment I walked into the stadium, I felt comfortable and I know this move will further my career.

“I will always give my best here and I can’t wait to score goals and celebrate with the fans. I’ve followed Walsall since last season.

Former Walsall defender Jason Demetriou, and Cyprus international, recommended Makris to Jon Whitney last season and also told Makris a lot about the Saddlers.

“Jason (Demetriou) gave me some great advice about Walsall FC, he’s a good friend of mine and only told me good things about the club.

“Of course every player has his own targets but, for me, I hope we can reach the Championship. Hopefully, we have a good season and achieve our goals.”

Whitney will be hoping Makris can go some way to replacing the goals Tom Bradshaw scored last season, starting at home to newly promoted Wimbledon on Saturday.

“I wanted to get a striker in who has got potential and someone we can develop over the next three years. I can see him really fitting in with the club’s philosophy.”